Purpose
The purpose of this document is to outline the range of responses UniSC will implement to safely and efficiently respond to Queensland Government COVID-19 public health directives.
These responses cover various aspects of UniSC activities and align with the levels of restrictions as outlined in the tables below.
Download the UniSC COVID-19 statuses (PDF 141KB)
Current UniSC COVID-19 status by campus
UniSC Sunshine Coast: Level 1, Green
UniSC Moreton Bay: Level 1, Green
UniSC Caboolture: Level 1, Green
UniSC Fraser Coast: Level 1, Green
UniSC Gympie: Level 1, Green
Planning for restrictions
Supervisors and staff should be encouraged to review the COVID-19 staff information on MyUniSC, for the latest information on working from home, COVID Safe USC, employee information, supporting students, teaching and research and impacted services.
Cost Centre Managers (CCM) should regularly review Business Continuity Plans, considering gradual or rapid escalation or de-escalation in level of restrictions and the impact on operations. CCM’s must ensure their Work Area COVID Safe Plans are reviewed and/or updated at least every six (6) months unless otherwise directed.
Implementation of restrictions
UniSC will follow the advice and direction provided by the Queensland Government, including in the management of any confirmed case/s of COVID-19.
The Director, People and Culture or delegate will be the primary point of contact with the Queensland Government.
Unless directed by the Queensland Government, the Pandemic Response Group (PRG) will determine the level of restrictions, which will be communicated by the VCP. The level of restrictions applies to UniSC campuses and facilities. Staff and students studying or working at sites controlled by external organisations, eg work integrated learning placements must comply with the restrictions of those organisations. This includes adhering to any restrictions for staff, students, volunteers and contractors working in settings with Queensland Government vaccination requirements.
Access authority
Staff and students may require access to campuses or buildings during an elevated level of restrictions. Staff and students must obtain prior approval to access a campus or building by submitting a site access request to the relevant authority listed in the below table. Cost Centre Managers must maintain a record of authorised staff.
| Level | Restrictions | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| 1: Green | Campuses open and operating with COVID safe rules, consistent with Queensland Government Public Health Directions | Not required |
| 2: Yellow | Campuses open and operating as per level 1 restrictions, with additional UniSC imposed restrictions | Cost Centre Manager |
| 3: Amber | Partial lockdown of one or more campuses or buildings, based on Queensland Government Public Health Directions |
Relevant Executive Member |
| 4: Red | Full lockdown of all campuses, based on Queensland Government Public Health Directions | VCP |
| Level | 1: Green | 2: Yellow | 3: Amber | 4: Red |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Locations | Campuses open and operating with COVID safe rules, consistent with Queensland Government Public Health Directions. Plan for Levels 2–4. |
Campuses open and operating as per Level 1 restrictions, with additional USC imposed restrictions as determined by PRG. Prepare for Levels 3–4. |
Partial lockdown of one or more campuses or buildings, based on Queensland Government Public Health Directions. Prepare for Level 4. |
Full lockdown of all campuses, based on Queensland Government Public Health Directions. |
| Staff | Staff working on campus in accordance with Work Area COVID Safe Plans. Plan for Levels 2–4. |
Staff working on campus, or from home dependent on restrictions in accordance with Work Area COVID Safe Plans. Prepare for Levels 3–4. |
Affected staff to work from home. Staff providing critical security, IT infrastructure support, asset or research protection may access affected campuses or buildings with approval from the relevant authority. Staff providing critical IT, library or print services permitted on campus with reduced capacity. Prepare for Level 4. |
All staff to work from home. Staff providing critical security, asset, IT or research protection may access campuses. |
| Travel | Staff and student travel permitted. | Staff and student travel permitted, in accordance with University domestic and international travel directions. |
Travel not permitted to affected campuses or buildings with the exception of providing IT infrastructure support. |
Travel not permitted with the exception of providing IT infrastructure support. |
| Learning and Teaching | Face to face (blended) and online. Plan for Levels 2–4. |
To continue as per Level 1, with further guidance as determined by PRG. Prepare for Levels 3–4. |
Online only for affected campuses or buildings. Students who are unable to study off campus are permitted to access affected campuses to pass critical milestones for completion of their degree or access study spaces. Prepare for Level 4. |
Online for all campuses and UniSC sites. Students are not permitted access. |
| Research | Continue research activities in accordance with Queensland Government Public Health Directions and COVID-19 Safe Plan – Research, and risk assessments as required. Plan for Levels 2–4. |
To continue as per Level 1, with further guidance as determined by PRG. Prepare for Levels 3–4. |
Onsite new research should not start at affected campuses or buildings. Labs at affected campuses or buildings remain accessible for essential activities only, subject to approval of Working In Isolation Form. HDR students permitted access as authorised. Prepare for Level 4. |
Onsite new research should not start. HDR students are not permitted access. |
| Events | Events conducted in accordance with COVID Safe Plans — Event Safety. Plan for Levels 2–4. |
Only limited off-campus University events at the relevant Executive’s discretion. On-campus events to continue as per Level 1. Prepare for Levels 3–4. |
Events not permitted at affected campuses or buildings. Only online events allowed. Prepare for Level 4. |
Online for all campuses and UniSC sites. Students are not permitted access. |
| Student Engagement (SS&E, IT, Library) |
Student facing functions, spaces and support services open subject to COVID Safe Plans. Plan for Levels 2–4. |
Student facing functions, spaces and support services open subject to COVID Safe Plans, with any additional UniSC imposed restrictions as determined by PRG. Prepare for Levels 3–4. |
Student facing functions closed at affected campuses or buildings, with students redirected to support at other campuses or buildings and online services. Prepare for Level 4. |
All student facing functions closed, with students redirected to online support service. |
|
Services and Operations |
Amenities and operations to continue, subject to COVID Safe Plans. Plan for Levels 2–4. |
To continue as per Level 1, with services operating in line with Queensland Government Public Health Directions and any additional UniSC imposed restrictions as determined by PRG. Prepare for Levels 3–4. |
Maintenance postponed at affected campuses or buildings. Delivery of services and operations restricted to critical security, IT infrastructure, asset or research protection. Prepare for Level 4. |
Critical security, IT infrastructure, asset or research protection permitted to continue. |